Russellville itches for mosquito controlSummer is just around the corner, bringing with it warmer temperatures and something else — mosquitoes. The city of Russellville doesn't currently spray for the insects, but some cities do. Eddie Murray, Morrilton Public Works Department director, said Morrilton funds spraying for mosquitoes with tax dollars. "They put it in the annual budget," he said. "It costs about $7,000-$8,000. You wouldn't believe how expensive that spray is." Murray sa...

News Briefs (May 24, 2014)Appleton Crime Watch meeting The Appleton Crime Watch meeting will be conducted on Monday at the Appleton Community Building. A potluck meal will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 7. The speaker will be Pope County Quorum Court Justice of the Peace Ben Cross. For more information, contact (479) 223-1117, (479) 284-5495 or (479) 858-1291. Century Farm application deadline The Arkansas Agriculture Department will accept appli...

RVPC discusses backpack program at latest meetingThe River Valley Prevention Coalition (RVPC) discussed a summer school backpack program during its regular meeting on Tuesday. Roy Smith, pastor at First United Methodist Church in Russellville, introduced a backpack program several area churches are coordinating with the Hunger Alliance. “We are working on trying to come up with an idea of how to provide backpacks for the kids at summer school at Oakland Heights,” Smith said. “They will help ...

PJH artists recognized in Little RockPOTTSVILLE — Junior High School art students have received recognition for not only the 18 awards they won this past school year but also artwork to be featured in several Little Rock locations. “It has been a great year of huge successes from my junior high art students. It is such a blessing to teach them,” junior high art teacher Carrie Drake said. “They are such an incredibly hard-working group of students, and I think that is evident in t...

Cyclist killed in crashThe victim in Friday morning's fatal crash has been identified as Jimmy Hood, Pope County Coroner Leonard Krout said. Hood, 55, of Russellville was killed Friday morning when the bicycle he was riding crashed with a semi-truck and trailer. Little Caesars Pizza, where Hood worked, will conduct a memorial at 7 p.m. Friday. The public is invited to attend. The Russellville Police Department (RPD) responded to the intersection of Weir Road and Eas...

Petitioner withdraws requestAfter tabling a special permit request for two months, the Russellville Planning Commission was scheduled to vote on the issue during its regular meeting Monday, but the request was withdrawn. "The petitioner did not want to pursue it," Lequitta Jones, planning assistant deputy city clerk, said on Wednesday. Rodney Scoggins initially went before the commission in March and requested a special use permit to allow sales and display of pools, spa...

M.J. Hickey Pool openingM.J. Hickey Pool will be opening on the weekends and the Memorial Day holiday starting Saturday, May 24. The pool will begin opening daily on June 5 when the school year is completed. Daily admission for adults (18 or older) - $4, children (7 - 17) - $3, children (6 and under) - $2. Individual season passes priced at $75 are available at the Hughes Center at 1000 E. Parkway Drive. Pool hours are 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day.

New sheriff, judge for Johnson CountyCLARKSVILLE — Democrat Larry Jones unseated Jimmy Dorney as Johnson County Sheriff in a tight primary race Tuesday, according to unofficial numbers with all 22 precincts reporting. Jones narrowly defeated Dorney by a vote of 690 to 668. Herman H. Houston defeated David Graves (421 votes) and James Melson (138 votes) with 792 votes. Because no Republican candidate entered either of those races, Jones and Houston will avoid the general election ...

Thone defeats DixonDANVILLE — Democrat Mark Thone will retain his post as Yell County Judge after opponent Bob Dixon failed to unseat him in Tuesday's primary, according to unofficial results with all 28 precincts reporting. Thone, who was first elected in 2010, received 1,421 votes to Dixon's 820. Because no Republican candidates filed for the position, Thone will avoid the November general election. Democrat Debra Kitchens Craig received 1,531 votes and defeat...

Jones elected Pope County SheriffRepublican Shane Jones was elected Pope County Sheriff on Tuesday, after unofficial results from 55 precincts show he received 4,340 votes while opponent C.E. "Charlie" Falwell received 1,494 votes. "I'm honored to have this position," Jones said. "I have been blessed. ... I've enjoyed meeting the people, and look forward to serving them as sheriff." Jones said his first priority will be to replace the retiring jail administrator followed by r...

Independent candidates file in Atkins, Hector, LondonFive Independent candidates have filed to run for municipal offices in the November general election. Candidates in Atkins, Hector and London had a deadline of noon Monday to file. The following candidates filed: • Stephen "Bro" Price for Atkins Alderman Ward 2 Position 1. Price will face Democrat Charles May for the seat. • John Riley and Christopher Kelly for Hector mayor. • John R. Price for London Alderman Ward 1 Position 1. • Paula L. Jon...

Election Day underwayElection Day is underway for the May general primary. Polls are open today from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Barring a runoff, several hotly contested, one-party races will be decided today including Pope County Sheriff between Republicans Shane Jones and C.E. “Charlie” Falwell, Yell County Judge between Democrats Bob Dixon and incumbent Mark Thone, Johnson County Sheriff between Democrats Jimmy Dorney and Larry Jones and Johnson County Judge betwee...

Local economy soars due to eventsRussellville’s economy is booming. The economic boost is attributed to the many state and national events taking place in and around Russellville. Arkansas Tech University’s Tech Field is playing host to the NCAA Division II Central Regional Baseball Championship. Russellville High School’s Cyclone Stadium and the Soccer Complex hosted the Class 6A State Tournament. Throw in the Bassmaster Elite Series fishing tournament on Lake Dardanelle, an...

Dover sets public hearing for HarpsDOVER — The Dover Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. June 2 at the Dover City Hall to discuss the possible rezoning of property to the east of Rose Drug on State Highway 7 to allow for a Harps Food Store and gas station. "This is being done for future expansion and growth of the city," Commissioner Ronald Walker said during the commission's regular meeting Monday. The commission accepted an "unofficial presentation"...

Junior FBLA excels at conferencePottsville's Junior Future Business Leaders of America excelled at the Spring Leadership Conference on May 1 at the University of Central Arkansas. The junior FBLA chapter won the Chapter of Excellence award for the first time in almost 10 years, as well as the Shining Star Chapter award for increasing membership by 10 or more students for a total of 42 members in seventh, eighth and ninth grades. Sponsors Samantha Prince and Amy Rust said the...

Hector submits financial plan, cuts $385,240HECTOR — The Hector Board of Education approved a 12-objective financial improvement plan — which includes a Reduction in Force (RIF), reduction in number of payrolls and non-renewal of purchase services contracts — during its regular meeting Monday. Board member Brad Graves was the lone vote against the plan. President Terry Epperson, Vice President Gary McDonald, Secretary Tony Haley and board member Chas Riley voted in favor. "We feel like ...

Dardanelle experiences testing problemsDARDANELLE— Dardanelle administration expressed concern about the new standardized-testing medium during the Dardanelle Board of Education meeting on Monday. District Test Coordinator Karie Kuras shared some issues the school experienced while participating in the computer-based Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) pilot exams. Kuras stressed the technical complications affected many of the school districts i...

Money on their mindsThe Russellville City Council will discuss capital projects funding when it meets at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, in addition to an update on a city engineer position, sanitation service bids and elected officials' salaries. The Finance Committee, which met at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, discussed a list of capital projects that city department heads have suggested — everything from a new fuel truck at the regional airport to a renovated animal shelt...